Friction type exercising device mounted on a collapsible structure

ABSTRACT

Collapsible physical exercising apparatus that may be folded into a compact unit when not in use. This apparatus is provided with a vertical panel having means for detachably attaching a friction-type cord gripping device thereto. Said device is provided with a device having a variable frictional resistance developed by a cord wrapped around a shaft and having a handle that is gripped by the operator in performing various physical exercises. This apparatus is also provided with a short panel and a long horizontal panel which are pivotally attached to the bottom part of the vertical panel. The long panel is provided with a pad upon which the operator rests during the performance of other physical exercises such as exercises simulating the rowing of a boat and the pedaling of a bicycle and the short panel functions as a foot brace during the rowing exercise.

United States Patent 1 Lewis et a1.

[ FRICTION TYPE EXERCISING DEVICE MOUNTED ON A COLLAPSIBLE STRUCTURE [75] Inventors: Fred Lewis, El Dorado Hills; Ronald E. Useldinger, San Jose, both of Calif.

[73] Assignee: Ronald E. Useldinger, San Jose,

Calif.

[22] Filed: Mar. 22, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 126,679

OTHER PUBLICATIONS fixer-Genie" 1964 Exer-Genie, Inc.

[111 3,741,538 [451' June 26, 1973 Primary ExaminerRichard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-William R. Browne Attorney-Allen & Chromy ABSTRACT Collapsiblephysical exercising apparatus that may be folded into a compact unit when not in use. This apparatus is provided with a vertical panel having means for detachably attaching a friction-type cord gripping device thereto. Said device is provided with a device having a variable frictional resistance developed by a cord wrapped around a shaft and having a handle that is gripped by the operator in performing various physical exercises. This apparatus is also provided with a short panel and a long horizontal panel which are pivotally attached to the bottom part of the vertical panel. The long panel is provided with a pad upon which the operator rests during the performance of other physical exercises such as exercises simulating the rowing of a boat and the pedaling of a bicycle and the short panel functions as a footbrace during the rowing exercise.

1 Claim, l0 Drawing Figures Pmmwmzs Ian SHEEIIBF? R m E V m RONALD E.USELDINGER BY FRED LEWIS ATTORNEYS SHEEI 2 BF 2 PATENTED JUN 26 I975 DESCRIPTION OF, THE INVENTION This invention relates to physical exercising apparatus which is adapted for usein the performance of numerous physical exercises.

An object of this invention is to provide improved physical exercising apparatus which may be used in the performance of numerous exercises and which is adapted to be collapsed so that it occupies a'small space when not in use.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved physical exericising apparatus which is readily adapted for use in exercising various parts of the human body.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved physical exercising apparatus that is provided with panel members to which a friction-type cord gripping device may be attached at different places depending upon the type of physical exercise to be performed. h 7

Another object of this invention is to provide improved physical exercising apparatus which is provided with a vertical panel-and a horizontal panel, said horizontal panel being attached by hinge-type pivots to permit it to be swunginto vertical position adjacent to and substantially parallel to the vertical panel when the apparatus is not in use.

Still another object of this invention is to provide improved physical exercising apparatus which is useful for exercising different parts of the human body, said apparatus being provided with a friction-type cord gripping device that is adapted to be attached to eyebolts located at different parts of the apparatus; the eyebolt to which the device is attached depending upon the type of exercise to be performed and the part of the human body to be exercised.

Other and further objects of this invention will be ap parent to those skilled in the art to which it relates from the following specification, claims and drawing.

In accordance with this invention there is provided physical exercising apparatus which may be employed for exercising different parts of the human body. This apparatus is provided with a vertical panel and a horizontal panel which is adapted to be swung upward so that it is positioned adjacentto and substantially parallel to the vertica'lpanel when the apparatus is not in use so that it occupies'a'minimum of space. This apparatus is constructed for use with a friction-type cord gripping device and the panels are provided with a plurality of eyebolts to which the'friction-type cord gripping device is adapted to be attached. The friction device is attached to selected ones of these eyebolts depending upon the type of exercise to be performed by the operator. In the performing of the various exercises, the operator assumes different positions on the horizontal panel and he pulls on the cord attached to the friction device. In certain exercises the operator grips the free end of the cord with both hands and exerts pulling force thereon. In the pedaling exercise opposite ends of the cord are attached'to the operators feet. The horizontal panel is provided with a pad and the operator may position himself on this pad in the performance of exercises simulating rowing of a boat, pulling a weight over his back. or pedaling a bicycle. The horizontal panel is also provided with an eyebolt to which the friction device may be attached and pulling force exerted on the free end of the cord while the operator stands with his feet on opposite sides of said eyebolt to simulate exercise such as obtaining lifting of a weight.

Further details and features of this invention will be .set forth in the following specification, claims and drawing in which, briefly:

FIG. 1 is a view of this physical exercising apparatus in collapsed condition in which it is positioned against a wall when not in use;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the horizontal panel of the physical exercising apparatus lowered so that the panels of the apparatus are opened for use in the performing of different exercises;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a friction-type cord gripping device used with this invention;

FIG. 4 is a view showing the apparatus being used for exercising the operators arms;

FIG. 5 is a view of the apparatus being used for performing exercise such as is obtained by lifting a weight;

FIG. 6 is a view of the apparatus being used for exercise such as rowing a boat;

FIG. 7 is a view of the apparatus being used for strengthening the back and arm muscles;

FIG. 8 is a view of the apparatus being used for exercise such as pedaling a bicycle;

FIG. 9 is a view of the apparatus being used for exercise such as weight lifting; and

FIG. 10 is a view of the apparatus being used for exercising the arm muscles.

Referring to the drawing in detail reference numeral 10 designates a vertical panel which is attached to a wall stud by the screw fastener 11 so that the panel is held fixedly against the'wall 12. The back side of the vertical panel 10 is provided with three cross members 13 attached thereto. A cross member 14 is attached to the bottom of the panel 10 and projects forwardly from the panel. A front panel 15 is attached to the top surface of the bottom member 14 by the hinges 16 so that the front panel 15 may be swung from its vertical position shown in FIG. 1 to its horizontal position shown in FIG. 2 in which the panel is lying flat on the floor. When foldable side braces 10a and 10b which are pivotally attached to the sides of panels 10 and 15 are provided therebetween, the vertical panel 10 need not be attached to a stud by fastener 11.

When the panel 15 is in the vertical position shown in FIG. 1 it is embraced by the straps l7 and 18 which are secured together by the lock 19. For this purpose the strap 17 is attached to the side and back of the back panel 10 by a hinge l9 and the strap 18 is attached to the other side and back of the panel 10 by the hinge 20. One of the straps 17 or 18 is provided with a lockreceiving loop which is adapted to be inserted through a slot in the other strap so that the lock 19 may be inserted through the loop to secure the straps together when the front panel 15 is in its vertical position.

A top member 21 is attached to the top of the panel 10 and overhangs the top of the panel 15 when this panel is in its vertical position. A short panel 22 is attached to the vertical panel 10 a short distance from the bottom by hinges such as the hinge 23 as shown in FIG. 6 so that this short panel may be swung into its horizontal position. The top of the panel 22 is provided with a member 24 which is attached to the top edge portion thereof by the hinges 25 as shown in FIG. 2.

Member 24 is provided with magnets 26 attached thereto to cooperate with and grip magnetic armatures attached to the back panel as shown in FIG. 6. Thus when the member 24 is folded against the panel 10 the magnets 26 grip the armatures 27 and hold the panel 22 and the member 24 in raised position. When the panel 22 is in its lower position shown in FIG. 6 member 24 is in its vertical position for use as a foot brace in exercises to be described hereinafter.

Panel 10 is provided with eyebolts 28, 29, 30, 31 and 32 which are firmly attached to this panel and panel is provided with an eyebolt 33 which is likewise firmly attached thereto. The purpose of these eyebolts will be discussed hereinafter in the description of the exercises to be performed with this apparatus. Likewise, the purpose of the pad 34 and shoe straps 35 which are attached to the top or inner surface of the panel 15 will also be discussed in connection with the various exercises performed with this apparatus.

This apparatus is to be employed in conjunction with a friction device 36 shown in FIG. 3 which may be of the type disclosed in U. S. Pat. Nos. 3,197,204 and 3,411,776. The friction device 36 is provided with a loop or hook so that it may be attached to selected eyebolts 28-33 of this apparatus and it is also provided with a cord 38 that is wrapped around a friction member therein a predetermined number of turns. When this apparatus is to be used for exercising the panel 15 is lowered to the floor as shown in FIG. 2 and the friction device 36 is attached to one of the eyebolts, for example, eyebolt 29 as shown in FIG. 4. When the person 39 desires to perform certain arm exercises as shown in this figure, he grips the handle 40, which is attached to one end of the cord 38, with both hands and endeavors to pull the cord through the friction device 36. When the operator desires to perform certain back exercises he attaches the friction device 36 to the eyebolt 33 of panel 15 and stands with his feet positioned on opposite sides ofthis eyebolt as shown in FIG. 5. In this exercise handles such as the handle 40 are attached to opposite ends of the cord 38 and the operator grips these handles, one in each hand, and endeavors to pull the cord back and forth through the friction device, first with one hand and then with the other.

When the operator desires to perform rowing-type exercises he lowers the short panel 22 as shown in FIG. 6 and moves the member 24 into its vertical position to serve as a foot brace. Then by sitting on the pad 34 he braces his feet against the member 24 and grips the handle 40 which is attached to one end of the cord of the friction device 36. He attempts to pull the cord through the friction device, thus exercising his back muscles.

The back and arm muscles may also be exercised by attaching the friction device 36 to the eyebolt 32 as shown in FIG. 7. In this exercise the operator inserts his feet under the straps 35 and sits on the pad 34 while gripping the handle 40 with both hands he endeavors to pull the cord 38 through the friction device 36. Exercise such as is obtained by pedaling a bicycle may be obtained when this apparatus is arranged as shown in FIG. 8. In this case the ends of the cord 38 are looped around the feet as shown. Friction device 36 is attached to the eyebolt 32 and the operator lies on his back on the pad 34, and braces his hands against the panel 22. While in this position the operator endeavors to pedal his feet and draw the cord 38 back and forth through the friction device 36.

The exercise shown in FIG. 9 is performed by attaching the hook 37 of the friction device 36 to the eyebolt 33. In this exercise one end of the cord 38 is looped around the handle 40 and the operator endeavors to pull the cord through the friction device 36 while applying additional friction to the cord entering the friction device 36. This exercise strengthens the operator's leg muscles and also at the same time exercises his arms and back to a certain extent. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 10 the friction device 36 is attached to the top eyebolt 28. The operator stands facing the panel 10 and his arms are extended horizontally forward. In this position the operator grips the handle 40 with both hands and pulls downward on the cord 38 against the friction in the device 36 while at the same time he applies additional friction on the part of the cord entering the device 36.

While we have shown and described certain preferred embodiments of the invention, it is apparent that the invention is capable of variation and modification from the forms shown so that the scope thereof should be limited only by the proper scope of the claims appended hereto.

What we claim is as follows:

I. In a physical exercising apparatus which is adapted for use with a friction type cord gripping device in the performance of various exercises by the operator of the apparatus, the combination comprising a vertical panel, a second panel, means pivotally attaching one end of said second panel to the lower part of said vertical panel so that said second panel may be raised to be adjacent said vertical panel when not in use and it may be lowered to its horizontal position when in use, a pad attached to said second panel, said pad being positioned on the top surface of said second panel when said second panel is in its horizontal position, means located near the bottom of said vertical panel for attaching one end of a friction device which frictionally engages a cord having a free end extending from the other end thereof, said free end of said cord being adapted to be gripped by said operator positioned on said second panel, a foot bracing panel, means for attaching said foot bracing panel to the bottom part of said vertical panel, said foot bracing panel having means movable to a horizontal position on said second panel when said second panel is in a horizontal position, said means for attaching the friction device to be positioned so that an operator may grip the free ends of the cord thereof while he is sitting on said pad with his feet braced against said means for bracing his feet during the performance of an exercise program. 

1. In a physical exercising apparatus which is adapted for use with a friction type cord gripping device in the performance of various exercises by the operator of the apparatus, the combination comprising a vertical panel, a second panel, means pivotally attaching one end of said second panel to the lower part of said vertical panel so that said second panel may be raised to be adjacent said vertical panel when not in use and it may be lowered to its horizontal position when in use, a pad attached to said second panel, said pad being positioned on the top surface of said second panel when said second panel is in its horizontal position, means located near the bottom of said vertical panel for attaching one end of a friction device which frictionally engages a cord having a free end extending from the other end thereof, said free end of said cord being adapted to be gripped by said operator positioned on said second panel, a foot bracing panel, means for attaching said foot bracing panel to the bottom part of said vertical panel, said foot bracing panel having means movable to a horizontal position on said second panel when said second panel is in a horizontal position, said means for attaching the friction device to be positioned so that an operator may grip the free ends of the cord thereof while he is sitting on said pad with his feet braced against said means for bracing his feet during the performance of an exercise program. 